Or. Admin. Code § 437-007-0800

Current through Register Vol. 64, No. 1, January 1, 2025

Section 437-007-0800 - General Requirements

(1) Any worker falling a tree or bucking a log must be located so their work will not endanger others.

Figure 7-33 -- Falling -- Too Close [Figure not included. See ED. NOTE.]

(2) Personnel must not approach within two tree lengths of a tree being felled without receiving a signal from the person falling the tree that it is safe to approach.

(3) The minimum distance between any worker(s) manually falling trees and any other personnel must be twice the height of the trees being felled.

EXCEPTION: This does not apply to a team of two or more working on the same tree.

Figure 7-34 -- Falling -- Two Tree Lengths [Figure not included. See ED. NOTE.]

(4) Workers who are single jacking must be positioned so they are close enough to render assistance to each other in case of an emergency. They must be:

(a) Within sight of each other; or

(b) Able to talk to each other by natural unassisted voice communication.

(5) Workers who are single jacking must work in compliance with 437-007-0215, Working Alone, and 437-007-0220, Medical Service and First Aid requirements.

(6) Workers whose primary job is to manually operate a chain saw for activities such as, falling and bucking trees, pre-commercial thinning, brush clearing and slashing must carry a shrill sounding whistle, such as a police whistle. The whistle must be used only to summon help in case of an emergency.

NOTE: This does not include chasers on active landings.

(7) Workers must not fall or buck trees within a unit of standing timber prior to any cutting operation if such falling or bucking creates a hazardous condition for subsequent cutters or operations.

(8) When hazardous conditions are created from tree cutting operation(s) next to roads, the requirements of OAR 437-007-0510 and 0515 apply.

(9) OAR 437-007-0230 applies when a tree could fall within 15 feet of a power line.

(10) An inexperienced worker must not fall trees or buck logs unless they are working under the direct supervision of a qualified person.

(11) When a worker is not sure how to safely fall or buck a tree, the tree must not be cut until the:

(a) Worker confers with a supervisor or qualified person.

(b) Safest possible work method or procedure is identified to complete the job.

(12) Workers must check for overhead hazards while falling, bucking or limbing trees.

(13) Workers must not fall and buck trees when their vision is impaired by weather or darkness.

(14) Spring poles and limbs under stress must be cut in a way that releases the tension and other personnel must be in the clear as the cut is being completed.

(15) Workers must not operate a chain saw:

(a) To cut directly overhead in a manner that would cause limbs, chunks of bark, or pieces of wood to fall on the operator.

(b) At a distance that would require them to lose a safe grip on the saw.

Or. Admin. Code § 437-007-0800

OSHA 5-2003, f. 6-2-03, cert. ef. 12-1-03

Figures referenced in this rule are available from the agency.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) & ORS 656.726(4)

Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 - ORS 654.295